Proverbs 4:1-2

Context

Admonition to Follow Righteousness and Avoid Wickedness¹

4:1 Listen, children,² to a father’s instruction,³

and pay attention so that⁴ you may gain⁵ discernment.

4:2 Because I give⁶ you good instruction,⁷

do not forsake my teaching.

[4:1] ¹sn The chapter includes an exhortation to acquire wisdom (1-4a), a list of the benefits of wisdom (4b-9), a call to pursue a righteous lifestyle (10-13), a warning against a wicked lifestyle (14-19), and an exhortation to righteousness (20-27).

[4:1] ²tn Heb “sons.”

[4:1] ³tn Heb “discipline.”

[4:1] ⁴tn The Qal infinitive construct with preposition ל (lamed) indicates the purpose/result of the preceding imperative.

[4:1] ⁵tn Heb “know” (so KJV, ASV).

[4:2] ⁶tn The perfect tense has the nuance of instantaneous perfect; the sage is now calling the disciples to listen. It could also be a perfect of resolve, indicating what he is determined to do.

[4:2] ⁷tn The word לֶקַח (leqakh, “instruction”) can be subjective (instruction acquired) or objective (the thing being taught). The latter fits best here.